Review: Nissan D40 Navara utility (2005-14)

Overview

Released in November 2005, the Nissan D40 Navara utility was initially available with a dual cab body, with King cabs following in July 2008. The King cab models had four seats with access to the rear seats via rear-hinged doors (there was no B-Pillar); the rear seats could also fold-down for extra interior space. The dual cab models, however, had five seats and the rear sets could flip up – on a 60/40 split – to create extra storage space.

The Navara range initially consisted of an entry-level RX and better-equipped ST-X, though a mid-range ST was introduced in November 2009; engine choices consisted of a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine or a 4.0-litre V6 petrol unit. In November 2010, a new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine – mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission – was introduced in the ST-X 550 variant.

The D40 Navara had a ladder-frame chassis with independent front suspension system with double wishbones and coil springs; at the rear, there was a rigid axle and leaf springs. Furthermore, the D40 Navara was fitted with a part-time four-wheel drive system which could be controlled via a rotary switch on the centre console. As such, the driver could select from rear-wheel drive (2H), a 50:50 front:rear torque split (4H) or engage the low ratio (2.625:1) transfer box (4L).

Safety equipment

The Navara RX was not initially fitted with any safety equipment, while the Navara ST-X had dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

From March 2009, standard safety equipment – across the D40 Navara utility range – consisted of dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

From June 2010, dual cab ST-X variants were fitted with front side airbags, full length curtain airbags and active front seat head restraints; ST-X variants with turbo-diesel engines were also fitted with electronic stability control and traction control (including the ST-X 550).

From February 2012, ST variants were further equipped with front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags. Furthermore, all four-wheel drive dual cab models were fitted with electronic stability control and traction control.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2008 Navara four-wheel drive dual cab utility fitted with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine – and equipped with dual front airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters – received a one star adult occupant protection rating with that star struck through due to the unacceptably high risk of life threatening injury to the driver’s head and the passenger’s neck.

Following Euro NCAP’s initial test, Nissan initiated a recall to correct the delayed deployment of the front airbag. The modified Navara received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 23.88 – for Australian vehicles, a one point deduction was applied due to the absence of a driver’s seatbelt reminder. The modified Navara provided improved head and neck protection, but the passenger compartment was still unstable, chest protection was weak and structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury of to the knees and femurs of both front occupants.

ANCAP subsequently conferred a four star adult occupant protection rating – with a score of 27.5 out of 37 – to four-wheel drive dual cab utility models that were fitted with 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engines and

• had a VIN prefix of VSK and built from November 2011; or,
• had a VIN prefix of NMT and built from December 2011.

These vehicles had a stronger occupant cell which led to improved performance in the offset crash test, though protection from serious leg injury for the driver was assessed as marginal.

Features

Standard features for the Navara RX included a two speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning and central locking.

The Navara ST was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system, cruise control, Bluetooth mobile phone integration, power mirrors and side steps. The ST also had a two-channel ‘Utili-Track’ system which used two rails into which self-locking pleats could be placed, providing fixed points for securing ropes and accessories.

Compared to the ST, the Navara ST-X added a six-disc CD player, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, remote central locking, power windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and immobiliser. The ST-X was also fitted with a five-channel ‘Utili-Track’ tray loading system. The ST-X, however, was not initially fitted with Bluetooth mobile phone integration, while the King cab models had a four speaker sound system.

June 2010 update: dual cab ST-X

In June 2010, the dual cab ST-X was upgraded with a more powerful 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine and additional safety equipment (see above). Furthermore, standard features were extended to include 17-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, auxiliary sound system inputs, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and power folding door mirrors. Visually, these updated models could be identified by their revised front mask and door mirrors with integrated indicators. Inside, there was an updated dashboard, centre console, seat and door trims, switchgear and satin-look centre console.

February 2012 updates

From February 2012, the ST was exported from Spain – previously Thailand – and standard features were extended to include a six speaker sound system with USB port, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and the ‘Utili-Track’ tray loading system. Visually, these models could be identified by their new grille, headlights and front bumper; inside, the ST had a new instrument cluster, centre console, switchgear and seat fabrics.

As part of the February 2012 update, the ST-X was further equipped with fog lights, tinted windows and rear under-seat storage.

Navara ST-X 550

Compared to the upgraded ST-X, the ST-X 550 was further equipped with a tub liner, satin black sports bar with LED brake light, hard tonneau cover (that locks with the remote central locking), bonnet protector, front fog lights, headlamp washers, privacy glass and roof rails. From February 2012, the STX-550 was fitted with a Bose sound system, in-built hard drive, satellite navigation with seven-inch display, leather upholstery, heated front seats and a reversing camera; the hard tonneau cover, however, became an extra-cost option.

2008 Navara Outlaw

In February 2008, a limited-run dual cab Outlaw variant was released. Based on the ST-X and powered by the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Outlaw was differentiated by its 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD player, MP3-compatibility and an auxiliary sound system input and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. Visually, the Outlaw could be identified by its chrome bonnet protector and side steps, alloy ‘nudge’ bar, fog lights and soft tonneau cover.

2009 Navara Titanium

In July 2009, a limited-run Titanium variant was released. Also based on the ST-X and powered by the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Titanium was distinguished by its 17-inch titanium-coloured alloy wheels, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, front fog lights and integrated tubliner. The Titanium variant could also be identified by its chrome sports bar and side steps, titanium coloured roof rails, grille, rear step bumper, door mirrors (with integrated indicators) and door handles.

2012 Navara 25th Anniversary

In November 2012, a limited-run 25th Anniversary edition was released. Based on the four-wheel drive, dual cab ST variant, the 25th Anniversary editions were further equipped with an alloy bulbar, driving lights, towbar with wiring kit, a smoked bonnet protector, tub liner, soft tonneau cover, carpet floor mats, free metallic paint and ’25th Anniversary Limited Edition’ badging.

2013 Navara ST-X Blackline Edition

In April 2013, a limited-run ST-X Blackline Edition was released. With its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, dual cab body and four-wheel drive, the Blackline Edition was distinguished by its satellite navigation system with HEMA tracks (over 60,000 km of 4WD tracks), reversing camera and cool box. The Blackline Edition was also fitted with a range of Nissan accessories, such as a black nudge bar, driving lights, tow bar with wiring kit, tub liner, black sports bar with high-mounted stop light and black soft tonneau cover. 

May 2014 ST updates

In May 2014, standard features for dual cab ST variants were extended to include a Bose sound system with six speakers and a subwoofer, 9.3GB hard drive for music storage, a satellite navigation with a seven-inch colour touch screen, DVD player and reversing camera.

2014 Navara Titanium

In July 2014, the Navara Titanium Dual Cab was released. Based on the ST variant, the Titanium featured leather trim, heated front seats, a sunroof, tinted rear windows, carpet mats, a tub liner and soft tonneau cover. Visually, the Navara Titanium could be identified by its nudge bar with driving lights, rear sports bar, ‘Titanium Edition’ badges and titanium-look finish for the grille, door mirror caps and door handles.

2014 Navara Silverline

Based on the RX Dual Cab 4×4, the Navara Silverline was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a tubliner, alloy sports bar and ‘Silverline’ badging.

Brochures

• Brochure: Nissan D40 Navara utility and cab chassis (August 2012)
• Brochure: Nissan D40 Navara utility and cab chassis (October 2013)

Related links

• Specifications: Nissan D40 Navara (July 2012)
• Nissan News: Nissan Releases Navara 25th Anniversary Limited Edition (November 2012)
• Nissan News: Nissan Launches Navara ST-X Blackline Edition (April 2013)
• Wikipedia.org: Nissan D40 Navara